NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator John Sullivan, 47th Legislative District

For Immediate Release: July 17, 2012

FLORENCE, IL – State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) visited the Florence Bridge, which spans the Illinois River between Pike and Scott Counties, on Monday in order to see first-hand the damage that led bridge inspectors to recommend it be closed to traffic.  After receiving calls from constituents affected by the closure, Sen. Sullivan went atop the bridge with IDOT’s Roger Driscoll, Deputy Director of Highways Region 4, (pictured on the left) and Steve Beran, District Bridge Maintenance Engineer.

“I urge the Department of Transportation to proceed as quickly as possible with evaluating and repairing the bridge,” Sen. Sullivan said. “At the same time, I want motorists and business owners to understand this 83-year-old bridge has some major problems, and continued use of the Florence Bridge would cause further damage to the structure and pose an unacceptable risk to drivers. Repairing and re-opening the bridge as soon as possible is in everyone’s best interest.”

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NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator John Sullivan, 47th Legislative District

For Immediate Release: July 09, 2012

 Sullivan’s Unemployed Vets’ Hiring Initiative Becomes Law

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator John Sullivan’s legislation, which offers an incentive to businesses that hire unemployed veterans, was signed into law today. The new law gives business owners a tax credit when they hire a veteran who served on active duty after 9/11 and has been unemployed for at least four weeks. It also allows local governments in Illinois to reduce the property tax burden on surviving spouses of soldiers who have died while on active duty.

“This new law reflects the determination to do something positive about the high unemployment rate among our returning veterans,” said Sullivan (D-Rushville), who introduced Senate Bill 3241 in the Senate. “The men and women who serve in our military put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms; along the way, they gain practical skills, maturity, and leadership – attributes that serve them well in the civilian workplace. Offering businesses an incentive to hire veterans is a winning proposition for employers as well as for our returning heroes and their families.”

The Hiring Veterans Tax Credit provides an additional tax credit for each unemployed veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan a company hires. Post-9/11 veterans struggle with higher rates of unemployment when compared with their civilian counterparts. In a win-win for veterans and the business community, employers will be rewarded for creating jobs for veterans, who have sacrificed so much in serving state and country.

In addition, the new law also honors Gold Star families of fallen heroes across Illinois by making them eligible for the same property tax-relief available in some communities to the families of fallen firefighters and police officers. The law allows counties or municipalities the option of reducing or eliminating property taxes for a surviving spouse of an Illinois soldier killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.

“As we welcome veterans home and mourn those who lost their lives serving this country, it is vitally important the state of Illinois show its gratitude by caring for the families of fallen soldiers and by helping young veterans make a smooth transition into the civilian economy,” Sullivan said. “I’m thankful for the bi-partisan support of this legislation, which shows how deeply we all value veterans and their families.”

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State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) received the “Legislator of the Year” award from the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs (IAAF), the Illinois Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Extension Partners. At ceremonies in Monmouth on Friday and at the Schuyler County Fair in Rushville on Tuesday, representatives of the three groups recognized Sullivan for his commitment to agriculture and rural Illinoisans. 

“In Illinois, agriculture is not just another industry or interest group; it’s a way of life,” said Sullivan, who is the State Senate’s only active farmer. “I understand the vital role agriculture plays in job creation, economic growth, and strong communities. I’m honored to receive this award today, and I will continue to work with farmers in western Illinois and throughout the state to strengthen agriculture and the many sectors of our economy that depend on it.”

GALESBURG, IL – Senator Sullivan spoke Wednesday at the graduation ceremony for participants in the Stone Hayes Center for Independent Living’s Legislative Internship Program. Stone Hayes, which helps Henderson, Warren, and Knox County residents with disabilities live independently in their communities, offers its legislative interns a 16-week program in leadership, government, civil involvement, and disabilities advocacy. The focus of the course is the importance of voting and encouraging others to vote. Sen. Sullivan shared his five principles of leadership with the graduates.

Beardstown, IL – Senator John Sullivan attended and spoke at the monthly meeting of the Cass Schuyler Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition on June 18. Local school districts, the Cass County Mental Health Association, Cass County Probation, the Cass County Health Department, the Taylor Clinic, and Schuyler Counseling were represented, and Beardstown Police Chief Tom Schleuter, Schuyler County Judge Alesia McMillen, and Representative Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) were also on hand to discuss strategies for reducing drug and alcohol abuse among area youth. Sen. Sullivan listened to community members’ concerns and emphasized the importance of prioritizing prevention.